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FAQs about MPH Distance Education AdmissionsFAQs about MPH Distance Education Admissions
Is it possible to start the MPH program in the Spring Semester? No. Students are admitted for the Fall semester only. What are the program admission criteria? The basic academic prerequisite is a baccalaureate degree, with an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the last 60 semester or quarter-equivalent units. Strong writing skills and evidence of quantitative ability (through previous grades, and/or GRE scores) are also very important. Beyond a strong academic preparation, we look for people with multicultural experiences and those with a clear commitment to public health as demonstrated through their work or volunteer experiences and described in their application statement of purpose. At least two years of post-baccalaureate health related work experience. However, since this program was developed to meet the needs of health professionals without access to an accredited MPH program, our priority admissions will go to experienced professionals whose career paths and contributions to community health will be enhanced by an MPH degree. But, this does not mean that new professionals, with two-years of experience, will not be admitted into the program. In addition, we are looking for students who indicate that they are FULLY committed to completing the program from beginning to end. What should I say in my Statement of Purpose? The statement of purpose is the centerpiece of your application to the MPH program. It should clearly convey to the MPH Admissions Committee your reasons for wanting to study community health education and acquire an MPH degree at this point in your life. There is no required format for the 2-4 page statement. However, you will want to summarize the path you have taken to this point in your life, your goals and vision, and the commitments you bring to public health. Your statement should clearly explain why you have decided to pursue graduate training in community health education and why you would like to study at SJSU. Be specific, use examples, and craft this document carefully. What should I include in my resume? Include everything that will help us understand the work you have been doing, your academic preparation, and your orientation to public health. You may include both paid and volunteer work experience, but please be sure to indicate time periods, including month and year you began and ended your work/volunteer experience, and whether the work was full-time or part-time. Be thorough and comprehensive. Who should write my letters of recommendation and is there a standard form? People who know your professional, academic, and/or volunteer experience work and potential should write your letters of recommendation. There is no standard form, but the people who write the letters should use their own letterhead and clearly indicate how and when they have observed your abilities. It is best to submit at least one letter from a professor and one or two from former or current employers. If it has been many years since you were in college, you can submit two letters from former or current employers. Two letters are required, but you are welcome to submit up to four letters, if you wish. The letters can be sent directly to the MPH Program or mailed with your application packet to the program. If you do the latter, please ask the writer to seal the envelope and sign over the back flap. If you are relying on your volunteer work as a primary example of your community health experience, you should get a letter from your supervisor. Is experience as a health educator required for admission? The MPH curriculum assumes that students have had at least a few years of work experience in health education, community-based programs, or other public health and health care settings. Work in the field is very important, as our courses build on students' experiences rather than "teach the basics." However, our experience has shown that people come to the field of public health from many different paths. The most important thing is that you explain in your application how your experience and skills have led you to pursue an MPH degree and why you want a degree with a community health education emphasis from San Jose State University. It depends. It is required by our accrediting body. However, if you have earned a master or doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DDS, etc.) from an American or Canadian institution, the GRE requirement can be waived. This waiver is granted on a case by case basis. If you took the GRE, but did not complete a graduate degree, you must retake the GRE if your scores are older than five years. Some applicants with an advanced degree may find that their application will be strengthened by taking the GRE anyway. GRE scores are one of the indicators of an applicant's readiness and skills for graduate level work. The Admissions Committee considers GRE scores along with earned grades (particularly in social science, health, and math courses), work experience, and the statement of purpose. Although there is no GRE score cut-off point, low GRE scores may influence our admissions decisions, especially the verbal and writing scores, since excellent writing skills are a critical part of earning an MPH degree. Newly admitted students and their Faculty Advisor also use the scores for advising purposes. I earned my degree outside the U.S., must I take the TOEFL or IELTS exams? Students with fewer than three years of full time study where English is the primary language of instruction are required to demonstrate their English proficiency via the IELTS or TOEFL exam. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 7.0 is required for all students who graduated from a higher education institution outside of the U.S., where the primary language of instruction was not English. The TOEFL can substitute for the IELTS. The minimum score required is 213 (computer based) or 550 (paper based). The SJSU Graduate Division will accept ONLY the exam given by the Education Testing Service. TOEFL exams given by other colleges, language training programs, etc. will not be accepted. All test scores must be less than 2 years old. Test scores must be sent directly from the ETS office (SJSU institution code is 4687). Additional important admissions information for International applicants can be found at the SJSU GAPE site http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/prospective_students/international/index.htm Can I take SJSU MPH courses in the Distance Education Program before being admitted? No. All MPH Distance Education Program courses must be taken through the Distance Education Program’s Special Session Courses. Only students who have been admitted to the program can enroll in the Distance Education Program courses. However, it is possible to take upper division courses at SJSU through Open University without being admitted to a particular program. Some prospective applicants decide to enroll in our Health Science Department upper division courses or take an upper division social science or writing course in another department before applying to the MPH program (or while their application is being processed) as a way of strengthening their academic skills and background. Presently, all Health Science undergraduate courses require campus attendance. Please note that taking courses before admission is not required and can be rather expensive. In addition, taking courses prior to admission does not guarantee a place in the MPH Distance program for the coming year. Who makes admissions decisions? The MPH Admissions Committee is made up of at least three MPH Core Faculty members, including the MPH Distance Education Program Director. This committee reviews all applications and identifies applicants who meet the program's admissions requirements. However, offers of admission to the university can only be made by SJSU's Graduate Division. The MPH Distance Education Program cannot accept any student who has been denied admission by the Graduate Division due to low grades or, for international students, a low TOEFL score. How can I find out the status of my application? It is your responsibility to make sure that all materials are sent to the Health Science Department on time. Be sure to make copies of everything! The MPH program will make every effort to notify you by email about the status of your application documents. When can I expect to hear the decision? Admissions decisions will be made in late April and early May, with acceptance letters sent out between mid-May and early June. Complete applications received prior to April 1st may be eligible for Early Admission Decisions (notifications will be made by early April). Please do not call or email the Health Science Office or the MPH Distance Education Program Director for decision information. If admitted, how do I get oriented? Soon after you receive your letter of acceptance, you will receive information about the August Orientation in San Jose and the academic sessions that will occur during your visit. In addition, you will receive information on your first two courses, including required readings and preparation for the first assignments. You will also receive information about online activities related to Blackboard and Elluminate Live that will prepare you for your visit. Specific dates will be provided in the future, but students should block-out the entire month of August for getting started. Please see the Distance Program Application Guidelines in this website, for more information on the application process. |
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